🌊 The North Texas Homeowner's Guide to Drainage & Foundation Protection
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Why North Texas Clay Demands Better Drainage
If you live in Frisco, Plano, or McKinney, your home sits on expansive black clay soil. This unique soil type acts like a sponge: it swells significantly when wet and shrinks when dry. In the landscaping world, we call this the "Shrink-Swell Cycle." When water pools near your foundation—whether from heavy spring downpours or a mismanaged gutter—the soil underneath your slab expands, creating hydrostatic pressure.
Over time, this pressure causes foundation heave, cracked brickwork, and interior drywall damage. Protecting your home isn't just about a dry lawn; it's about stabilizing the soil that supports your biggest investment.
French Drains vs. Surface Drains: Which Do You Need?
Most DFW homeowners deal with two distinct types of water issues. Understanding which one you have is the first step toward a permanent fix.
Subsurface Water (The "Soggy Lawn" Problem)
If your yard stays mushy for days after a rain, you likely have groundwater trapped in the clay. French Drains are the gold standard here. We install a perforated pipe in a gravel-filled trench to intercept this underground water and move it safely to the street or a "pop-up" emitter.
Surface Water (The "Flash Flood" Problem)
If you see rivers of water running across your patio or pooling by your back door during a storm, you need Surface Drains (Catch Basins). These act like a bathtub drain for your yard, catching high volumes of water instantly and whisking it away through solid PVC piping.
Recent Project: PVC Downspout Drainage in Fairview, TX
Here's a recent drainage solution we installed in Fairview to protect a customer's foundation from downspout runoff. By routing the water away from the home using solid PVC piping, we eliminated the pooling issue and safeguarded their foundation from future damage.
đź’ˇ Frequently Asked Questions: North Texas Drainage
How much does a French drain cost in Frisco or Plano?
In 2026, the average cost for a professional exterior French drain installation in the North Dallas area typically ranges from $2,800 to $6,500. On a per-foot basis, homeowners usually see prices between $25 and $65 per linear foot.
Note: Factors like the depth of the trench (to protect foundations), the type of gravel used, and the hardness of the clay soil can affect the final estimate.
Will a French drain clog in our heavy clay soil?
Traditional French drains can clog if they are just "pipe and dirt." At All Green Landscapes, we prevent this by using a "gravel burrito" method. We wrap the perforated pipe and washed river rock in a high-quality non-woven geotextile fabric. This allows water to pass through while keeping the fine North Texas clay particles out of your system, ensuring it lasts for decades.
Do I need a permit for drainage work in Frisco?
For most residential yard drainage projects that do not alter the city's main runoff or curb, a permit is not required. However, if your solution involves a curb cut or connecting directly to a city storm sewer, a permit and inspection are often necessary. We handle the assessment to ensure your project stays compliant with local city codes.
How far should a drain pipe be from my foundation?
To effectively prevent foundation heave in North Texas, we recommend discharge points be at least 10 feet away from the home's slab. This ensures that the water isn't just "moved" a few feet away only to seep back under the foundation.
Can I connect my gutters to my French drain?
We generally recommend keeping gutter downspouts on a separate solid PVC line (Surface Drainage) rather than dumping high-volume roof water into a perforated French drain. Mixing the two can overwhelm the French drain system and actually push water into the soil near your foundation instead of away from it.
Related Article
Planning a new lawn installation? Proper drainage is essential before installing sod or turf.
Read our Sod vs. Artificial Turf Comparison Guide →Protect Your Foundation Before It's Too Late
Don't wait for foundation cracks to appear. Let All Green Landscapes assess your drainage situation and provide a permanent solution tailored to your North Texas property. With over 60 five-star reviews and expertise in DFW clay soil, we're the trusted choice for foundation protection.